KONFLIK ELIT DI MALAYSIA TH. 1987-1998

Abstract

Social conflicts in Malaysia since 1980s, two decades after the succesful New Economic Policy (NEP), can be identified as political conflicts among elities rather than ethnic conflicts. The political struggle was fought over the distribution of material benefits rather than ethnic interests. These conflicts were different from the earlier ones that centered on etnicity or issues concerning etnic interests. During 1987 to 199,8, there were two major conflicts in Malaysia, namely UMNO split (in 1987) and conflict between Mahathir and Anwar (in 1998). The Questions of conflicts is viewed as insperable from socio-ecouotiiic considerations. As a consequence of the structural changes and social mobilization cause by a long period of economic growth, semi-outhoritarian regime in Malaysia must face more political pressures, both from elites and masses, demanding more democracy and clean government. Apart from their several similarities on policy issues and pattern of escalations, these two conflicts have one distine contrast. For his confrontation with Mahathir, Anwar, inspired by reformat movement in Indonesia that forced Presiden Suharto to resign on Mei 1999, called for mass support and mass demonstrations, especially from students and Malay middle class, to bring about change in the govermenl. But, poor organizati anal and networking made the malaysia’s reformasi movement failed to achieve its end. Keywords : conflict, elite, middle-class, material benefit, policy issue